History in the making

The following article, written by Jo, appeared in the Sport Unleashed magazine after IMNZ 2008 where Jo bagged her sixth consecutive IMNZ win...

Wow, I can't believe it has come and gone. The build up for Ironman New Zealand this year was awesome. After being away for so much of the year, it was nice to do all my training from one base and even better when it is was from home. Training went fast. That’s not to say that I went fast, but the weeks just flew by, logging the hours, the intensity and recovery - all just perfect. With all this fantastic training under my belt, I was looking forward to having a solid strong race.

The week before the race went smoothly, doing all the necessary obligations with ease, not stressing too much, and setting up for a nice pre-race week. Only when Mike Reilly mentioned at the Carbo Dinner that I was going for my 6th Consecutive win, something that no one has ever done, did it really hit me Big Time! Anyway, not focusing on the 6th win, I just did my normal pre-race prep of yummy cheesy pizza for dinner, washed down with a full fat ice cream ... yum.

Saturday morning rolled around pretty blooming quickly, all helped by me counting down the hours, the minutes and the seconds until the alarm clock sounded. I normally sleep really well before a race, but not this time. There was too much going on in my head. But they say the night before the race doesn't really matter ...

Perfect!

So, everything was done. I had checked my bike and my wheels, filled my drink system, handed in my special needs bags, got my number and … mmm I think that's it. I headed over to the swim start feeling pretty relaxed, my mind kept thinking about what is coming up.....I love it, the pain and feeling of racing is just so cool.

In the lake, my Velocity wetsuit felt like second skin, and helped to keep me warm before the gun went off. I did a little bit of paddling

around, trying not to waste too much energy before the race began. I found my spot on the start li

ne, right behind Cam Brown. I knew if I

started behind him, good things would follow. Boom went the gun and we were off!

Swim 49:56 – Personal Best

Way cool! I broke 50mins; amazing!! I settled into a nice rhythm and followed the feet I was on. These feet were perfect. I think I lost Cam but these ones were doing me fine. Exiting the water and seeing the time, I nearly passed out. I was so happy. All the hard work and patience of Mark Bone finally paid off. Running along the road up to the bike transition, I felt pretty good. This is when you generally know how your day may, or may not, pan out ... perfect. My personal best on the swim. Fingers crossed the rest of the day would follow in the same pattern.

Bike 5:07

Head wind, tail wind ... that’s pretty much it. One way was full on smacking into the wind and then once at Reparoa we turned and ended up in town again. My rear Zipp disc was a dream. I felt good on the bike but I didn't seem to be making much gap on the girls. I caught Gina a little while after the start and she set the pace for the first 5km. I was happy just to take my time settling in. No point rushing or going out too hard. It’s a long day, and my patience may have been a blessing in disguise. I felt like a bullet with my new helmet … man, it was aero....perfect for this race and these conditions.

I continued on my way, focusing on myself and getting the best out of the course and the conditions. I ended up back in town and exiting into the run transition four and a half minutes up on the group of girls behind me. All I had to do was get through my transition from bike to run as fast and as efficiently as I could.

Run 3:13:06

I whipped on my fast trainers, wrapped my drink belt around me and off I went - finding out later on that I had the 3rd fastest transition. I headed out and ugh, I wasn't feeling too flash. Actually, I had some big monkeys sitting on my shoulder telling me all sorts of excuses. But NO... am not listening, not listening. I got some splits once some of the girls had started onto the run and … ugh again. They were catching me and catching me fast. I knew Kate was coming like a steam train. She rolled straight over me and passed me earlier in the year, and no way was this going to happen again! Well, that is what I was telling myself anyway.

My body took about 30km to catch up to my mental state, and by this time Kate was already right next to me. This was really exciting, now that I look back, but during the race ... no way was this fun. I think I nearly caused 90% of New Zealand to have a mini-heart attack. The crowd support in Taupo was incredible The monkey had left and I had all of NZ sitting on my shoulders; yet they didn't feel that heavy. I started to test Kate a few times, but nothing really eventuated until, at about the 36km mark, at the base of a mini-hill, something happened.

I bolted like lightning and took off! I went as hard and as fast as I could. The only thing going through my mind was, "I did the stroke and stride 5km race, how hard can 6 km be?" It’s funny the kind of games you can play with your mind. I nailed it; I dug into places that I don't think I have ever been before but it was soooooo worth it! I wanted to test myself and I wanted to push my limits, I think I did that, and it was awesome.

New Race Course Record 9:16:00

Running down the finish chute, I never really believed that I had the win in my pocket. I looked up and saw the race clock. The time was a few minutes under my race record. I gunned it again and went full on into the chute and the tape as fast as I could. Except, with the amount of confetti and streamers all over me, who would know it was me? I knew it was me, as I do remember pushing the stop button on my watch! Such an important part of the race; the marathon split time! You all know what I am talking about … your watch doesn't lie!

I chopped two minutes off my previous race record, so it now stands at 9.16.00 right on the button. What an amazing day. And of course, some more great news … Cam Brown won again! He is just awesome. Congrats to Cam, and to so many other Ironman athletes out there A really special mention to Tony Jackson ...your are definitely an Ironman! It’s about here that I really need to thank a few people my huge team of Ironmates who make me what I am … I wouldn’t be Jo Lawn without you. My sponsors, Cervelo bikes, Zipp wheels, Profile design, Retul bike fitting system, Thompson’s Nutrition, Bonita Banana's, Asics shoes, Oakley, Uvex helmets, 2XU sports apparel, Aquasphere goggles, Triathlon New Zealand, SPARC, Computrainer, Fizik saddles, Real Foods, Red 8 nutrition, Belt Hydration Vo2max.

The list goes on … friends, coaches and family: Mark Bone, Mum, Dad, Sarah, John, Samara and Jamieson, and of course Armando … we did it! We are for sure the YOMANDO people talk about. I am recovering well, trying to get over a minor infection that I picked up just before race day. Nothing like forced rest now. It will only make me stronger. For now I am chilling, recovering, and taking some well deserved time out. But Armando and I are working hard over the next few weeks setting up a Retul bike fit studio in Parnell and the new iBIKE shop is coming soon.

No rest for the wicked ...